Racing Association CEO, Larry Wainstein, has responded to criticism about the omission of Piere Strydom from the SA jockey team in next month’s International Jockeys Challenge.
RA CEO Larry Wainstein – ‘I don’t pick team alone’
“I need to make it clear that I do not pick the team alone,” he said. We have a panel of four of which I am chairman. The way we chose the team was to choose the top four on the log at the end of last season. They were S’manga Khumalo, Andrew Fortune, Anthony Delpech and Anton Marcus.
“When Anton told us he was not available for personal reasons we then moved on to No 5 on the log and that was Muzi Yeni.
The Sporting Post asked the question – read more
“We then have the two wild cards and the panel came down to Gavin Lerena, Grant van Niekerk and Piere Strydom. Gavin captained our team last year and he also spent much of last season riding in Hong Kong.
“He also represented South Africa at the Shergar Cup in England and was one of the top jockeys at the event, riding two winners. He has been riding out of his skin since he’s back so was an obvious choice.
Piere Strydom – makes way for youngsters
“For the last seven years Piere has been there and we felt it was time to give the youngsters a chance. Piere did not ride that much last season through injury and suspension and also missed the first month of this season through injury.
“Out of all the jockeys Piere has been the most supportive of this event. The decision to leave him out was not taken lightly.
“We have to make those hard decisions and at the time we didn’t think he was in form.”
The Air Mauritius International Jockeys’ Challenge will be held at Fairview on 18 and 20 November respectively.
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